1、Unit 5 Languages around the World Reading & Thinking Can you recognise these Chinese characters? How do they develop over time? The Chinese writing system? Look at the title and picture below. Predict what the text will be about. THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM: CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT its im
2、portance? its function? its development? its history? P62 P62 1 1 Read and finish the tasks as quickly as possible. The text mainly talks about _ _ _. Read the text quickly to get the main idea. Task 1 the development and importance of the Chinese writing system in connecting the past with the prese
3、nt Task 2 Find the main idea of each paragraph. Para Main idea Para 1 Para 2 Para 3 Para 4 Para 5 Para 6 China is famous for its ancient civilization mainly due to the Chinese writing system. Written Chinese was a picture-based language at the beginning. The Chinese writing system developed into dif
4、ferent forms over the years. The Chinese writing system was united by Qinshihuang. The Chinese writing system has become an important means in connecting Chinas present with its past. The Chinese writing system plays an important part in international cultural exchange. Task 3 Scan the text to find
5、the words and phrases that describe a time. P63 P63 3 3 At the beginning The Shang Dynasty Over the years Qin Dynasty Today Written Chinese was a picture-based language. These symbols had become a well-developed writing system. The system developed into different forms. Qinshihuang united the seven
6、major states into one, so the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. Written Chinese connects Chinese present with its past. The Chinese writing system is an important part of Chinese culture. Task 4 Scan the text to find what happened at each of those important times. 1. During S
7、hang Dynasty, the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. 2. The symbols which were carved in longgu can no longer be seen in todays hanzi. 3. The Chinese writing system is one of the main reasons why Chinese ancient civilisation continued all the way through modern times. 4. Today
8、, not many international students are learning Chinese writing system. 5. Qinshihuang plays an important role in uniting the Chinese writing system. still Qin an increasing number of Task 5 Read the text again and discuss the questions. Task 6 1. How did written Chinese unify Chinese people divided
9、by geography and dialects? 2. How does written Chinese connect Chinese people today with those of the past? 3. According to the writer, the Chinese writing system is one factor that has helped the Chinese language and culture survive. What do you think are some of the other factors? Possible answers
10、. 1. How did written Chinese unify Chinese people divided by geography and dialects? When Chinese people were divided geographically, people tended to create different oral words in their daily life and their accents began to change. So the dialects came into being. However, the written Chinese, on
11、the whole, kept unchanged. No matter where they live and what dialect they speak, they can still communicate in writing. So the written Chinese was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture. 2. How does written Chinese connect Chinese people today with those of the past? People i
12、n modern times can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. And some of the ancient symbols of longgu can still be seen in todays hanzi. So written Chinese has always been an important part of Chinese culture and history and it has connected Chinese present with its pas
13、t. 3. According to the writer, the Chinese writing system is one factor that has helped the Chinese language and culture survive. What do you think are some of the other factors? The invention of papermaking and the invention of printing are also the factors that has helped the Chinese language and
14、culture survive and spread. They made it easier for people to store and spread the classic works, the language and the culture. analysing, mindmap, summary, retelling Passage Structure Analysis Introduction: the topic Body: its history and development Conclusion: its importance expositorykspztri wri
15、ting(说明文说明文) What is expository writing? Expository writing is a type of written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give information. One important point to keep in mind for the author is to try to use words that clearly show what they are talking about. Since clarity requires strong organ
16、ization of a text, some expository organizational patterns are very useful in reading and writing an exposition. The Chinese writing system At the beginning the Shang Dynasty the Qin Dynasty 1. It was a _ language. 2. It dates back several thousand years to the use of _. 3. _ are carved on _. 1. The
17、 symbols had become _. 2. Over the years, the system developed into _ as people were divided _ then, leading to many varieties of _. 1.Qinshihuang _ 7 states into one, so it began to develop _. 2. It was important in uniting _. Today 1. It connects _ with _. 2. Its an imporant part of _. 3. An incre
18、asing number of international students are beginning to appreciate _ through it. one of the main factors that affect Chinas ancient civilisation Retell picture-based longgu Symbols animal bones and shells well-developed different forms geographically united in one direction Chinese people and cultur
19、e dialects and characters Chinas present its past Chinese culture Chinas culture and history Complete the mind map and then retell the text according to it. Some argue that there is no need to learn to write Chinese calligraphy. Whats your opinion? More and more foreigners begin to learn Chinese calligraphy. 1. Finish the exercises in Learning English. 2. Look for some information about the history and development of English.
